The traditional territories of the scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and other Coast Salish Peoples.
The heart of the Pacific Flyway, and a central hub to travellers throughout BC, Richmond’s diverse communities and spectacular waterfront vistas are home to a plethora of migratory birds.
Getting Here
By Land
By Public Transit
By Bike
- Biking Itineraries: Tourism Richmond
- Biking North: From Delta
- Biking West: From Surrey
- Biking South: From Vancouver
By Air
By Boat
Fall Birding in Richmond
As fall migration brings many visitors through the region as a stop on the Pacific Flyway, one of the most amazing bird spectacles in the world can be seen in Richmond Delta: the arrival of the snow geese. In early October, tens of thousands of snow geese that breed on Wrangel Island off northern Russia make their way to the area. The sight of a flock covering an entire farm field on Westham Island (near George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary), or peppering the sky at takeoff, is quite impressive. Bald eagles are also plentiful, and can often be seen casually perched along the road in farmland in trees or simply on fenceposts. The shorelines come alive at Boundary Bay and Roberts Bank with huge numbers of shorebirds, like dunlin, western sandpipers, and black-bellied plovers.
Winter Birding in Richmond
Snow geese can be found aplenty in open areas in Richmond Delta in winter, from farm fields to lakes, as they prepare to head back to northern Russia in the coming months. The waterfront is quite busy this time of year, with brant geese, northern pintails, green-winged teals, American wigeons, western and red-necked grebes, and even graceful trumpeter swans. Raptors include the resident bald eagle, peregrine falcon, red-tailed hawk, and northern harrier, but you might also see rough-legged hawks and short-eared owls above the fields this time of year.
Spring Birding in Richmond
Spring migration means being able to catch waterbirds like grebes, Brant geese and northern pintails, while also enjoying the rush of migrants making their way along the Pacific Flyway. Shorebirds like western sandpiper, dunlin, and black-bellied plover scamper along the water’s edge, making the extensive coast of Boundary Bay a must-visit for activity. Northern harriers are residents which can often be seen doing laps above farm fields, then hovering in place before diving for a catch.
Summer Birding in Richmond
Summer brings a great mix of resident regulars and elusive surprises. Bald eagles can be found soaring or perched on roadside fenceposts, while great blue herons wade on mudflats and make plenty of noise in large rookeries. If you’re lucky, you might catch a ghostly barn owl patrolling the ample farmland in the area. In marshland, searching the reeds may yield a lucky find of a sora, Virginia rail, or even a large, statuesque American bittern. While seeing birds like these is a treat, there’s a good chance you’ll hear them as they hide in the thick reeds and grass by the water. In the sky, there’s lots of action with several species of swallow (including barn, violet-green, tree, cliff, northern rough-winged, and purple martin) darting over fields, lakes, and ponds. The shoreline (especially places like Iona Beach, Boundary Bay, and Roberts Bank) is alive with shorebirds throughout the season.
Richmond
The heart of the Pacific Flyway, and a central hub to travellers throughout BC, Richmond’s diverse communities and spectacular waterfront vistas are home to a plethora of migratory birds.
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1Ferguson Road, Richmond, BC, CA, V7B 0A8
Located where the Fraser River meets the sea, this park is part of the Pacific Flyway, making it a great spot for viewing migratory birds.
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21000 Ferguson Road, Richmond, BC, CA, V7B 1W8
An intimate bird tour experience accessing more than 15 years of wildlife insights Liron has accumulated during his award-winning nature photography career in and around Vancouver.
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32631 Westminster Way, Richmond, BC, CA, V7C 1A9
Also located along the Pacific Flyway, this park offers great opportunities to see migratory birds, with viewing platforms along the trails perfect for bird watching.
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41082-7899 Templeton Station Road, Richmond, BC, CA, V7B 0B7
This Italian style artisan coffee house and roastery has a great tea selection and fresh baked goods for a quick morning stop.
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57899 Templeton Station Road, Richmond, BC, CA, V7B
Highly acclaimed Japanese inspired hot dogs. Creative, fun, and tasty. Their signature hot dog features teriyaki sauce, mayo, and seaweed.
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68181 Cambie Road, Richmond, BC, CA, V6X 3X9
Elegant and delicious croissants, pastries, cakes, and more, made using traditional French techniques.
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7130-8311 Lansdowne Road, Richmond, BC, CA, V6X 3A4
Focusing primarily on Asian foods, this location is the largest T&T in Canada. Seemingly endless food options with its own street food section and live seafood bar.
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84760 Inglis Drive, Richmond, BC, CA
Dine on classic West Coast pub fare and seafood while watching the seaplanes arrive and depart from their patio overlooking the Fraser River.
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97700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC, CA, V6Y 1R8
An excellent stop for birdwatching enthusiasts in BC, the Brighouse branch of the Richmond Public Library offers free Birdwatching ExplorePACKs, a starter pack equipped with everything you need to get outdoors and experience birdwatching, that can be borrowed for up to 7 days with an RPL library card!
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103111 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, BC, CA, V7B 1K7
Situated in the middle of Sea Island, relax in comfortable rooms with unobstructed views of the ocean and North Shore Mountains. Close to great food, shopping, and the heart of the Pacific Flyway.
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1112240 Second Avenue, Richmond, BC, CA, V7E 3L8
Running from April to October, take in the scenery on a whale watching tour focused on magnificent orcas, majestic humpback whales, and other marine wildlife such as porpoises, sea lions, seals and bald eagles.
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1212011 Seventh Avenue, Richmond, BC, CA, V7E 4X2
A large waterfront park where the West and South Dyke Trails meet. This area is known for a variety of raptors, shorebirds, and waterfowl.
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133511 Moncton Street, Richmond, BC, CA, V7E 3A3
A friendly local organic coffee shop and roastery in the historic and quaint fishing village of Steveston.
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1412111 Third Avenue, Richmond, BC, CA, V7E 3K1
Established in 1895 in the heart of historic Steveston Village, this charming hotel has cozy rooms and a diner on the ground floor for convenient breakfast and lunch.
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153540 Bayview Street, Richmond, BC, CA, V7E 4R7
Pajo’s serves up 100% Oceanwise certified, and delicious, classic fish and chips. Take in the harbour views while floating right on the water.
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1612031 First Avenue, Richmond, BC, CA, V7E 3M1
A unique and welcoming bookstore with new and used books galore.
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17115-3900 Bayview Street, Richmond, BC, CA, V7E 4R7
Open seasonally in the summer.
Truly some of the best birding in North America happens in and around Richmond. From the Musqueam marshlands of Sea Island and Iona Beach, to the migratory birds of Terra Nova Park, there’s so much to explore – all within reach of a bustling cultural centre.
In the summer and fall of 2021, we collaborated with renowned biologist, birder and author, Dick Cannings and regional Bird Trail partners to highlight real stories of local birding, community, and conservation in British Columbia. The result was a 14-minute documentary short which is the first release of the ongoing series, ‘Stories from The BC Bird Trail’.
Located on the southwest tip of Lulu Island, Steveston Village’s historic harbour is full of heritage architecture and fresh fish – which in turn attracts a variety of birds looking for a taste.
Exploring the South Fraser Bird Trail takes you through three communities: Surrey, Richmond, and Delta. Situated at the mouth of the Fraser River, this region is one of the best birding areas in the world. While South Fraser is home to plenty of year-round birds, the main attraction for many birders is the fact that it sits on the busy Pacific Flyway, a migration route that goes between Alaska and South America. Every year, the South Fraser Bird Trail is inundated with thousands of migratory birds who rely on this area for refuelling and resting during their long migratory journeys.
